Ivoryton VIllage Alliance

04/13/2026

🇺🇸 ✨Let’s turn Essex into a sea of red, white & blue! ✨🇺🇸
Big moments like this don’t come around often—and we’re inviting YOU to be part of something truly special as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary right here in our community! Whether you go all out or keep it classic, let’s fill our streets with pride, creativity, and hometown spirit. 🇺🇸❤️💙
Essex Celebrates America 250
Red, White & Blue Community Decorating Contest
Contest Runs from May 15th – July 4th, 2026
Contest Description:
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by showcasing your patriotic spirit! Residents and businesses in Essex, Ivoryton, and Centerbrook are invited to decorate their homes, storefronts, and properties in patriotic red, white, and blue to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. From classic colonial charm to creative modern displays, help bring our community to life in celebration of this historic milestone. Open to all residents and businesses located in Essex, Ivoryton, and Centerbrook. No Entry Fee! PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!!!!
Whether subtle and elegant or bold and festive, all styles are welcome. Let’s fill our streets with pride, history, and hometown spirit!
Decorations should be displayed between May 15th and July 4th, 2026 Participants must register their address
• Registration deadline: June 15th, 2026; register your location by sending the address you want to have entered to [email protected]
Entries will be evaluated based on:
• Patriotic Spirit & Creativity
• Use of Red, White & Blue Theme
• Overall Presentation & Visual Impact
• Historical or Community Connection
Judging Period:
• Judging will take place in the last two weeks of June
• Winners will be announced on or around July 4th, 2026
Winning Categories
• Best Overall Display
• Most Creative
• Best Historic Theme
• Best Business Display
General Guidelines:
• Decorations should be appropriate for public viewing
• Please be respectful of neighbors and avoid obstructing sidewalks or roadways
• Essex Celebrates America 250 reserves the right to photograph displays for promotional use
Get Involved!
Help us make Essex, Ivoryton, and Centerbrook shine in red, white, and blue as we celebrate 250 years of American history. Gather your neighbors, get creative, and be part of something truly special!

03/27/2026

Planning is underway for Ivoryton's upcoming 4th of July parade! ​​This year we are welcoming groups and organizations to participate in the parade with floats. Show off your creativity and artistic talent while contributing to the event's celebrations! 🇺🇸🎉

For more about the parade and requirements for floats, visit: https://www.ivorytonalliance.org/ivoryton-village-4th-of-july-parade

03/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Essex go Bragh Irish Parade this weekend!!☘️ It was a beautiful day and great to see the community come together.

03/15/2026

The Tavern is reopening this week, remodeled and ready to go for a Grand Day on Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day!

03/07/2026

We had a group of folks do the 2025 version of the Escape Room, it truly is a lot of fun. Looking forward to this year's event!

As seen in the Valley Courier, have you checked out the details of the Ivoryton Library's 2026 Escape Room, "Wonderland Conundrum"? Tickets are now on sale for this fun, Alice in Wonderland-themed event, March 13-29. Teams of up to six people will have one hour to solve a series of puzzles, riddles and challenges or risk losing their heads to the Queen of Hearts! This is a great team activity for families, friends, coworkers and groups of all kinds and all to benefit your local library.

Info, FAQ's and ticket availability here > https://tinyurl.com/mr2p9hws

See you in the Escape Room!

02/16/2026

Voting for Essex Bank's Community Investment Program is open until the end of February. If you're an Essex Bank customer, please consider voting for the Alliance!

01/22/2026

The Essex Go Bragh Irish Parade is just TWO MONTHS AWAY TODAY! 🍀
📅 Saturday, March 21, 2026
⏰ Step-off at 11:00 AM
📍 Starting at Essex Town Hall and marching through Essex Village
This beloved, family-friendly tradition is one of our favorite days of the year, and we hope you’ll join us for a morning filled with Irish spirit, community pride, and plenty of smiles. It’s been wonderful hearing from returning groups and new participants already—thank you for the excitement!
✨ The more marchers, the merrier—please let us know soon if your group can participate!
🎉 Announcing Our 2026 Grand Marshal 🎉
We are proud to announce the America 250 Semi-Quincentennial Committee as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Essex Go Bragh Parade! This honor recognizes their incredible work in planning local initiatives for America 250, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026. Their efforts highlight Essex’s rich history while bringing our community together in meaningful ways.
🍀 Parade Details
The Grand Marshals will lead the parade on March 21, stepping off at 11:00 AM from Essex Town Hall, traveling through the village to Ferry Street, turning up Pratt Street, and disbursing at Cross Street.
Expect a lively mix of Irish dancers, pipers and drum corps, local nonprofits, businesses, students, scouting organizations, sports teams, and community groups—and we’d love to add your group to the lineup! Everyone is welcome to attend or march. Wear green, bring banners, wave flags, play music, and show off your Essex pride! 🍀🇺🇸
📞 Interested or have questions?
Contact Mary Ellen Barnes
📧 [email protected]
📞 860-767-4340 x110
Please feel free to share this post with community groups, sports teams, businesses, and organizations who might want to join the fun!
We can’t wait to celebrate Irish heritage, American history, and our amazing Essex community with you.
Let’s make 2026 our biggest and best parade yet!
Sláinte! 🍀🎉

12/27/2025

Ivoryton Illuminations in the snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12/20/2025

Illuminations took a good hit in Friday's storms. Thank you to the volunteers who helped get it all back together! The lights will be on in full tonight!

12/12/2025

❤️

We’re celebrating 15 years ! For a decade and a half, our little shop has been slicing, sampling, and sharing the world’s finest cheeses with our community. Thank you for supporting us, laughing with us, and discovering new favorites at our counter. Your kindness and loyalty has made this all a joy. We look forward to many more years to come. 🎁🎈🎉

12/08/2025

Sharing a few moments of holiday cheer from this weekend's tree lighting!🎄It was a joy to see everyone coming together to celebrate the holidays in our magical little town. Thank you to everyone who came, sang, volunteered, and helped make the night unforgettable!

12/08/2025

Illuminations 2025 was a great success- thank you to all the volunteers who made this possible! A special thank you to the The Ivoryton Playhouse, Brickside Pizza, The Hosting Company, Ivoryton Tavern, Ivoryton Fire House, Ivoryton Library, All Saints' Episcopal Church, LC Doane, Essex Lions Club, VRHS World Food Club, VRHS Photography Department, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Illuminations lights will be on display daily from 4-11pm. Enjoy!

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season! 🎄🎅🏼